English O-levels and A-levels by Sayema Masood

1123 Tips and Tricks 4 Speech

Tips for Speech:
• All Directed Writing start with ‘Dear ……………..’ as instructed by CIE Examiner.
• All Directed Writing are 200-300 words, in 3 to 4 paragraphs
’
• Since Speech is directed towards a ‘live audience’; therefore, it is written in second person (you); and includes ‘you’ and ‘i/we’ frequently.
• In speech, third person (he, she, it) is not addressed; and included only as reference.
• Most speeches are formal; therefore they are precise (do not include any unnecessary information).
• Speech does not include:
• Emotions (exaggerated feelings)
• Any sort of slang
• Unacceptable jargon
• Words which are not included in latest dictionary
• Colloquial (spoken) language
• Those national words which do not have English Translation

Answer Key Checklist

• Has the student answered all the three bullet point questions?
• Has the student used appropriate vocabulary indicating information about the subject?
• Has the student maintained proper language, sentence structure and paragraphing?
• Has the student used proper punctuation?
• Has the student used proper ‘Transitional Devices’ while changing paragraphs?
• Has the student ensured correct spellings?

1123 Tips and Tricks for Descriptive Writing

Tips for Descriptive Writing:
• Creative Writing will now be known as ‘Compositions’
• All Compositions are 350-500 words, in minimum 5 paragraphs and maximum 7 paragraphs.
• In the Composition section, where candidates have an opportunity to display their
English language skills in order to express their opinion, experience or imagination in a range of discourse types: descriptive, argumentative or narrative.
• There are 5 choices of ‘Compositions’ and they are
• Descriptive
• Expository
• Event Narrative
• Story Narrative
• Argumentative
• Descriptive Compositions: These composition ‘Describe’ what, who, where, when and how. These compositions describe person, place, animal, thing.
• Descriptive Compositions present Sensory -Perceptive –Descriptions, From the first to the last perception
• Descriptive Compositions use
• Adjectives
• Adverbs
• Similes
• Metaphors
• Onomatopoeia
• Descriptive Compositions normally follow a sequence in describing ‘as you experience’ shapes, colour, sound, taste and sensations.
• Descriptive Compositions show feelings, experiences, reactions to the subject; such as rush hour at a bank or bus stop; the scene of an early morning in a village or a city; inspirational people and why you are inspired by them; a painting or an object of art; a visit to a doctor, dentist or a museum, a concert etc.
• Descriptive Compositions may be in 1st person (I, we) or 3rd person (he, she, it)
• Descriptive Compositions are different to expository – where you include a specific, memorable experience, and opine on it.
• Descriptive Compositions are realistic, comparatively factual; and as such candidates have more or less similarity in their responses.


Answer Key Checklist

• Has the student selected, written and understood the chosen topic?
• Has the student used out-of-the-box or different but realistic ideas in expression?
• Has the student used appropriate vocabulary indicating information about the subject?
• Has the student maintained proper language, sentence structure and paragraphing?
• Has the student used proper punctuation?
• Has the student used proper ‘Transitional Devices’ while changing paragraphs?
• Has the student ensured correct spellings?

P1 Section 2: Composition (30 marks)
• This is an essay, testing language and content combined.
• Candidates answer one question from a choice of fi ve essay titles. Candidates will be presented with 1 descriptive, 2 argumentative and 2 narrative essay titles from which to choose.
• Candidates are advised to write a response of between 350 and 500 words.

P1 Section 2 tests the following assessment objectives:
W1 Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 Sequence facts, ideas and opinions
W3 Use a range of appropriate vocabulary
W4 Use register appropriate to audience and context
W5 Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

1123 Tips and Tricks for writing Formal Letters
Tips for Formal Letters:
• All Directed Writing start with ‘Dear ……………..’ as instructed by CAIE Examiner.
• All Directed Writing are 200-300 words, in 3 to 4 paragraphs
• There is no need of writing Address in any Directed Writings.
• In all Directed Writings, ‘Date’ is written in the same line as ‘Dear ……… it can be written above the salutations also’
• In all Formal Directed Writings, ‘Subject’ is written as ‘Sub:……………………’ in the line below ‘Dear………’
• Letters are means of ‘communication’ which includes paper as a ‘medium’ between ‘transmitter’ and ‘receiver’
• Formal letters are written to ‘official receivers’ who hold some official position such as ‘Principal, Manager, Editor, etc.’
• Formal Letters do not include

Less Formal More Formal Less Formal More Formal
a lot of many, much, numerous, a great deal of live reside
about regarding lively animated
after that thereafter need require, necessity/requirement
also / plus moreover next/later subsequently
answer response OK / all right acceptable, satisfactory
ask for request old elderly
at first initially people persons, individuals
better superior, improved people say that… it is said that…
breathing respiration right away immediately
buy purchase seem appear
cheap inexpensive show demonstrate
drink beverage so therefore, thus, consequently
eat consume start begin, commence
end terminate, complete start again resume
enough sufficient stop cease
fix repair sweat perspire, perspiration
get obtain, acquire tell inform
help assist, assistance that's why therefore
home residence try attempt
in the end finally, ultimately very, really quite
got to / have to I must, It is necessary for me to want desire, would like, wish
kind of / sort of rather, somewhat watch observe
leave depart whole entire
let permit work function

Answer Key Checklist

• Has the student answered all the three bullet point questions?
• Has the student used appropriate vocabulary indicating information about the subject?
• Has the student maintained proper language, sentence structure and paragraphing?
• Has the student used proper punctuation?
• Has the student used proper ‘Transitional Devices’ while changing paragraphs?
• Has the student ensured correct spellings?

1123 Tips and Tricks 1 Informal Letters

Tips for Informal Letters:
• All Directed Writing start with ‘Dear ……………..’ as instructed by CAIE Examiner.
• All Directed Writing are 200-300 words, in 3 to 4 paragraphs
• There is no need of writing Address in any Directed Writings.
• In all Directed Writings, ‘Date’ is written in the same line as ‘Dear ………’
• Letters are means of ‘communication’ which includes paper as a ‘medium’ between ‘transmitter’ and ‘receiver’
• Informal letters are written to ‘receivers’ who are on ‘frank’ terms; and informal letters include feelings and emotions; and even acceptable slang, jargon, and acceptable national words/phrases.
• acceptable slang: language which is normally used in spoken language and are later included in dictionary when they become common (hello, salam, Abbu, Ammi, Bhaiya, etc)
• acceptable jargon: words and phrases used for a specific business or sports (cheque, deposit, LBW, over, goal, center-forward, ultrasound, pathology etc.)
• acceptable national words/phrases: words which are of students national language (paratha, lassi, monsoon, hajj, etc)

Answer Key Checklist

• Has the student answered all the three bullet point questions?
• Has the student used appropriate vocabulary indicating information about the subject?
• Has the student maintained proper language, sentence structure and paragraphing?
• Has the student used proper punctuation?
• Has the student used proper ‘Transitional Devices’ while changing paragraphs?
• Has the student ensured correct spellings?

Section 1: Directed Writing (30 marks)
• Candidates are presented with one task, e.g. write a letter, speech, report, article, which is fit for purpose and relevant to the world of study, work or the community.
• Candidates should write 200–300 words to inform or persuade a particular audience.
• A total of 15 marks are allocated for task fulfi lment and 15 marks for language.
Section 1 tests the following assessment objectives:
R1 Demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
R2 Demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
W1 Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 Sequence facts, ideas and opinions
W3 Use a range of appropriate vocabulary
W4 Use register appropriate to audience and context
W5 Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

1123 Directed Writing

There are no set formats in P1Q1 Directed Writing.
Remember!

1. Ensure formal or informal language as required
2. Write minimum 3 paragraphs, one for each bullet point.
3. Your middle paragraph should be detailed and therefore the longest.

Transitional Devices (Connecting Words)
________________________________________
Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your paper. They are cues that help the reader to interpret ideas in the way that you, as a writer, want them to understand. Transitional devices help you carry over a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another with words or phrases. And finally, transitional devices link your sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.

There are several types of transitional devices, and each category leads your reader to make certain connections or assumptions about the areas you are connecting. Some lead your reader forward and imply the "building" of an idea or thought, while others make your reader compare ideas or draw conclusions from the preceding thoughts.

Here is a list of some common transitional devices that can be used to cue your reader in a given way.

To Add:
and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.),

To Compare:
whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true

To Prove:
because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is

To Show Exception:
yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes

To Show Time:
immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then

To Repeat:
in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted,

To Emphasize:
definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation

To Show Sequence:
first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon

To Give an Example:
for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate

To Summarize or Conclude:
in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently, on the whole,

To all students appearing in English Language 1123 CIE exams from 2020to 2021

1123 English Language levels 2020 to 2021 Changes to components

Paper 1 Writing
• Section 1: Directed Writing: the rubric on the question paper has been amended to show clearly how marks are awarded – 15 marks for task fulfillment and 15 marks for language.
• Section 2 has been re-named Composition (previously named Creative Writing). The number of marks for this task is unchanged at 30 marks.
• There will continue to be a choice of 5 essay questions. These will be grouped as:
Description ×1
Argument ×2
Narrative ×2
The single word essay option has been removed.

Paper 2 Reading
• Section 1 Reading for Ideas (25 marks): The summary task has been updated as follows:

Q1a: 12 marks for content points
Q1b: – candidates write a summary of approximately 150–180 words – 10 Marks
Q1c: – 3 marks for short answer questions.

Section 2 Reading for Meaning (25 marks): Tasks have been updated, including:

• in questions which require a paraphrase of a section of the text (‘own words’ questions), the section of the text to be paraphrased will be given in the question
• the introduction of multiple choice style questions
• a separate part with questions on writer’s craft:
* Register
* Tone
* Mood

Syllabus aims and assessment objectives
AO1: Reading
* R1 Demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
* R2 Demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
* R3 Analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions
* R4 Demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects
* R5 Select for specific purposes

AO2: Writing
W1 Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 Sequence facts, ideas and opinions
W3 Use a range of appropriate vocabulary
W4 Use register appropriate to audience and context
W5 Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar

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